March comes in like a lion plot recap, spoiler-light
Rei Kiriyama is a seventeen-year-old professional shogi player residing alone in Shinkawa, near Tokyo's Sumida River. Following a childhood tragedy that claimed his parents and younger sister, Rei was taken in by his father's friend, Masachika Kōda. Believing he only brought burdens to his foster household, Rei eventually moved out to live independently, financing his life entirely through his shogi salary.
Despite his professional status, he struggles to mature emotionally, lacking friends and facing a fluctuating competitive record as expectations mount. His life shifts when he meets the Kawamoto sisters—Akari, Hinata, and Momo—who warmly welcome him into their home in Tsukuda across the Chuo bridge. Through shared meals and genuine affection, the sisters offer Rei the familial care he previously lacked.
As Rei travels to the shogi hall in Sendagaya and navigates his career, he gradually confronts his isolation. The story balances his professional ambitions with the quiet, grounding moments he shares with the Kawamoto family, setting the stage for his ongoing personal transformation and emotional recovery.
What happens at the end of March comes in like a lion?
Key takeaways
- Rei Kiriyama transitions from an isolated professional shogi player to an emotionally connected individual through his relationships.
